Taeniatherum caput-medusae* (L.) Nevski. Trudy Sredne-Aziatsk. Gosud. Univ., Ser. 8b, Bot. 17: 34 (1934).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Pooideae. Tribe Triticeae.
Basionym and/or Replacement Name: Elymus caput-medusae L., Sp. Pl. 1: 84 (1753).
Type of Basionym or Protologue Information: LT: (LINN-100.6). LT designated [as 106.6] by Humphries in Bot. J. Linn. Soc. 76: 342 (1978).
Key references (books and floras): [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of Australia, [2006] J.Jessop, G.R.M.Dashorst, F.M.James, Grasses of South Australia (275), [2009] A.Wilson (ed.). Flora of Australia, Vol 44A. Poaceae 2 (118).
Illustrations: [2006] J.Jessop, G.R.M.Dashorst, F.M.James, Grasses of South Australia (276, fig. 214), [2009]. A.Wilson (ed.), Flora of Australia 44A: Poaceae 2 (117, Fig.18).
Habit. Annual. Culms erect or decumbent, 5–55 cm tall. Leaf-sheath auricles present. Ligule an eciliate membrane, hyaline, obtuse. Leaf-blades flat or convolute, 3–12 cm long, 2–5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface indumented.
Inflorescence. Inflorescence solid, a raceme. Racemes 1, oblong, 3–7 cm long, bearing 35–45 fertile spikelets on each.
Spikelets. Spikelets sessile, 2 in the cluster. Fertile spikelets 1-flowered, comprising 1 fertile floret(s), with diminished florets at the apex, linear, dorsally compressed, 8–14 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes similar. Lower glume subulate, cartilaginous or coriaceous. Upper glume subulate, 17–27 mm long. Upper glume surface scabrous.
Florets. Fertile lemma 8–13 mm long, without keel, 5 -nerved. Lemma apex awned, 1 -awned. Median (principal) awn (50–)62–120 mm long overall. Palea 2 -nerved.
Continental Distribution: Europe, Africa, Temperate Asia, Tropical Asia, Australasia, and North America.
Australian Distribution: South Australia.
South Australia: Northern Lofty.
Notes. Native to Europe, and apparently naturalised in S.A. where it is not well represented and may not persist. Flowering specimens of naturalized indviduals not available.
